Libethenite is a rare copper phosphate mineral that typically forms attractive olive-green prismatic crystals in the oxidation zones of copper mines. It is highly valued by collectors for its sharp, well-defined orthorhombic crystal habits and vibrant color. Often found as drusy coatings or small crystalline sprays, it is easily confused with the arsenic-bearing mineral olivenite.
Is this libethenite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch libethenite with a known reference. Libethenite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, green, blackish green, light olive green, dark olive green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: druse, globular, prismatic.
Often confused with
Libethenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Libethenite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 3); streak differs, so Libethenite leaves light green, Olivenite leaves olive-green to brown; luster reads vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces on Libethenite and adamantine to vitreous, pearly to silky if fibrous on Olivenite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Libethenite leaves light green, Pseudomalachite leaves pale green to pale bluish green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Libethenite leaves light green, Adamite leaves white.
Often found alongside libethenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with libethenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₂PO₄OH
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.97 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light green
- Luster
- Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Druse, globular, prismatic
- Cleavage
- Imperfect on {100} and {010}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An uncommon secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper deposits
Where rockhounds find libethenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Empire-Nevada and Blue Jay mines, Yerington, Lyon Co., USA
- Castle Dome mine, Globe-Miami, Gila Co., the Old Reliable mine, Copper Creek, Pinal Co., Arizona, USA
- Santa Rita mine, Silver City, Grant Co., New Mexico, USA
- L’ubietová, near Baňská Bystrica (Libethen, near Neusohl), Slovakia
- Wheal Phoenix, mines around Calstock, Illogan, Cornwall, England
- Nizhni Tagil, Ural Mountains, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An uncommon secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper deposits. If you start seeing pseudomalachite, malachite, azurite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: druse, globular, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find libethenite on the map
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